‘Dhurandhar’ Highlights Real-Life ISI Hawala King Javed Khanani and His Infamous Legacy

Mumbai: Aditya Dhar’s latest film “Dhurandhar” has been making waves at the box office, not just for its gripping story and stellar performances but also for its characters inspired by real-life figures. Among them, the portrayal of Javed Khanani, the notorious ISI hawala king of Karachi, has caught public attention.

On-Screen vs Reality:
In the film, actor Ankit Sagar brings Javed Khanani to life in a comic, lighthearted tone. However, the real-life Khanani was far from harmless. Known for his ruthless strategies, he left no stone unturned in undermining India financially and supporting terrorist networks. His life ended tragically, adding to his infamous legacy.

Who Was Javed Khanani?
Javed Khanani, brother of Altaf Khanani, was a mastermind behind one of Pakistan’s largest money laundering networks. Operating as the financial advisor to the ISI, he secretly facilitated funds for terror groups like Al-Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, while also cleaning cash for the notorious D-Company. Alongside his brother, he ran Khanani & Kalia International (KKI), which played a major role in destabilizing India economically, including supplying counterfeit currency in large volumes.

Estimates suggest that in the early 2000s, ₹1,500–2,000 crore worth of fake Indian notes were smuggled into India from Pakistan, funding jihadist activities. Khanani’s operations were so significant that the U.S. designated KKI as a major international criminal organization.

Tragic End:
Javed Khanani met a grim fate shortly after India’s demonetization in 2016. Reports indicate he fell from the fourth floor of an under-construction building, marking a violent end to a career of infamy.

Actor’s Perspective:
Speaking about his experience, Ankit Sagar said, “I initially knew nothing about Javed Khanani. I only had my dialogues for the audition. Later, Aditya Dhar briefed me about Khanani and his real personality. I realized that many characters in the film, like Rahman Daku and SP Aslam Chaudhary, were based on real people.”

Star-Studded Cast and Box Office Success:
Apart from Ankit Sagar, Dhurandhar features Ranveer Singh, Akshay Khanna, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt, with Rampal playing ISI Major Iqbal and Dutt as SP Aslam Chaudhary. The film has been a box office hit, earning ₹411.25 crore domestically in 12 days and over ₹588 crore worldwide.

Conclusion:
While “Dhurandhar” presents a dramatized narrative, it sheds light on the real-life shadowy operations of Javed Khanani, giving audiences both entertainment and a glimpse into historical events that challenged India’s security and economy.